Some Objects

Below are some objects related to various periods of Mary's life.
Click on the thumbnails to see larger pictures.

This insulting image appeared
on the Mercat Cross (which can still be seen today on Edinburgh's famous High Street,
"The Royal Mile") soon after Darnley's murder. Mary is represented by the
initials M R on each side (Maria Regina) of a mermaid which was itself a synonym for a
prostitute. The hare refers to Bothwell's coat of arms and the surrounding daggers
point to him as the murderer.

This silver casket which is kept
at Lennoxlove House in East Lothian (Scotland) is believed to have contained the
"Casket Letters", love letters written by Mary to Bothwell. This object
played a crucial role in the accusations directed at Mary and Bothwell regarding Darnley's
murder. When Mary fled to England to seek her English cousin Elizabeth I's help, the
latter refused to assist her until Mary had cleared herself of the murder of her second
husband. The story goes that Bothwell sent his page to recover the letters but he
was intercepted by the Protestant Lords. Later, at the York Inquiry, the letters
were produced but these were not originals. It is doubtless that the letters were
heavily forged or manipulated to incriminate Mary by proving that she was already having
an affair with Bothwell before Darnley's death, and that she knew about, and was perhaps a
party to, the plot to murder him. Mary was not allowed to attend the Inquiry
herself. In the end Elizabeth decided that neither side had proved their case
adequately, but Mary's reputation was sufficiently sullied to justify keeping her
captive. There have been been many investigations and books written on the subject
but the mystery remains unsolved.

One of Mary's possessions
which can be seen at Traquair House (see places to visit in this site). The shoe is
remarkably small for such a tall woman. Traquair House has confirmed that
this shoe as well as two other items, were donated by a lady who had always held
the items in her family for generations. Her connections were with Mary Seton, a
lady-in-waiting to Mary Queen of Scots.

The Crown, Sceptre and Sword
used at Mary's Coronation. These can be admired at Edinburgh Castle. The Crown
is a replica of an older model and was used for the first time on that occasion. It
is the oldest Crown in the UK.

Also displayed at Holyrood
Palace is Mary's Pomander. This item was commonly used in the 16th Century to hold
fragrant herbs in order to protect from outside stenches.

Rosary and prayer book given to Mary by Lord Herries
during her flight to England.

This beautiful dress is a modern reconstruction of a dress worn by Mary, it
can be seen in Stirling Castle